Bad Courtroom Behavior Can Make Serious Legal Troubles Even Worse

After you’ve been arrested, often the best thing you can do for your case is to keep quiet and let your lawyer do the talking. Rarely will it help to do anything other than stay calm and follow the rules, silently, while you’re in custody. When you’re coming before a judge for a hearing or sentencing, courteous and respectful behavior is especially important. Good courtroom demeanor may have a bigger impact than you realize on the ultimate outcome of your case.

Certain defendants who have appeared before judges at the Bridgeview Courthouse, or who were incarcerated at nearby police stations, have failed to follow these guidelines, ultimately facing serious consequences for these decisions. One man appearing before a judge at Bridgeview Courthouse, arrested on charges of assaulting a police officer, failed to exert this sort of self-control. The 24-year-old man banged on the walls while in the detainee lock-up of the courthouse. The judge warned the man that he was at risk of being held in contempt of court should he carry on swearing at the judge. When asked if he was out of control, the man replied by launching yet more offensive language and name calling at the judge. This resulted in the man being held in contempt, his bail amount being tripled, and a sentence of six months in jail for contempt.

Another man asked his friend to bring his asthma inhaler to him in jail. After following his instructions and bringing him the inhaler while he spent time at the Chicago Ridge police station, the friend was allegedly dismayed to learn that the inhaler contained a foil packet full of heroin. Bringing contraband such as alcohol, drugs, or any sort of weapon into a penal institution, or providing these items to someone who is incarcerated, can carry felony charges for both the incarcerated person and the person providing these items.

Even if not illegal, using foul or disrespectful language, or otherwise acting disruptively in the courtroom, can still carry serious penalties for those facing criminal charges. Increase your chances of success in defeating the charges lodged against you by doing everything in your control to appear as a diligent, law-abiding member of your community.

If you’re facing criminal charges in Chicago and have been summoned before a judge at the Bridgeview Courthouse or Markham Courthouse, provide yourself with an excellent defense by contacting the experienced and effective Homewood criminal defense lawyer John Fairman for a consultation, at 708-799-4848, or in Bridgeview at 708-960-4806.

By Lee & Fairman, LLP | Posted on January 27, 2017

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